Liberia Launches Third National Action Plan on Women and Security
Liberia unveiled its third National Action Plan at the UN, aiming to convert previous pledges into measurable outcomes with specific accountability metrics.
Key points
- Liberia launched its third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security at the UN General Assembly.
- The new framework introduces specific indicators, baselines, and targets to ensure measurable government accountability.
- A national steering committee involving multiple ministries will oversee the implementation of the plan.
Liberia has introduced its third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The initiative marks a renewed national commitment to integrating women into the core of peacebuilding, security governance, and broader development strategies.
According to liberianobserver.com, the launch featured President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, senior government officials, and Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee. The event served as a platform to review Liberia’s historical contributions to peace and to outline a new framework for translating policy commitments into tangible, measurable action.
Shift Toward Measurable Implementation
Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie stated that the new plan is designed to move beyond abstract promises toward concrete execution. She emphasized that the framework includes specific activities, designated responsible institutions, and established baselines with clear targets.
The minister highlighted that previous commitments, particularly those regarding unaccompanied minors, remained largely unfulfilled. To address this, the new structure prioritizes accountability, ensuring that government bodies are held responsible for delivering on the specific indicators contained within the plan.
Institutional Coordination and Governance
Implementation will be overseen by a national steering committee chaired by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. Other participating agencies include the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs, National Defense, and Finance and Development Planning.
Minister Kollie outlined the creation of a technical working group and a fully staffed national secretariat. Additionally, county-level advisory structures are planned to strengthen the execution of these policies across various regions of Liberia.
Historical Context and Global Role
Foreign Minister Sarah Beysolow Nyanti noted that Women, Peace and Security is a top priority for Liberia’s bid for a United Nations Security Council seat. She argued that the country’s history, particularly the role of women in ending the civil war, provides a unique platform for global influence.
Leymah Gbowee contributed to the discussion by recounting the early financial struggles of the women’s peace movement. She revealed that President Boakai provided crucial financial support in 2003, a fact that underscores the long-standing partnership between the current administration and grassroots peace activists.
